BIG SPRING – Howard College recently hosted their annual Evening of Excellence to recognize student achievement on the Big Spring campus.
Recognitions for the night included the coveted Presidential Award for Outstanding Student of the Year, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and Sigma Kappa Delta (SKD) inductions, and the 2023 All-Texas Academic Team student.
This year the Presidential Award for Outstanding Student of the Year award was given to two students on the Big Spring campus, Kaeona Marquez and Caleb Cassie, and one student, Shiv Bhakta, for the Lamesa campus.
Students are nominated for the Presidential Award by faculty and staff and eligibility considerations include student engagement on campus, grades, character, and leadership. Students must be a sophomore or graduating in the spring term to be eligible for the award.
“These students on the Big Spring campus are all deserving of the Presidential Award and it was very hard to choose,” added Sparks. “But Kaeona and Caleb have both continuously gone above and beyond in their involvement on campus, their leadership among students and their commitment to their academics. They have made a huge impact at Howard College and are so deserving of this honor.”
Bhakta, a Lamesa Dual Credit student, will be graduating with his associate degree from Howard College just days before he graduates from Lamesa High School.
“Shiv has shown what can be accomplished when you chase after a goal,” said Sparks. “He has been active on our Lamesa campus while being a dual credit student and we are so proud of him for his accomplishments.”
Other students nominated for the Presidential Award included Thomas Gabehart, Nicholas Gomez, Denis Kadiric, and Alexandra Mota for the Big Spring campus and Michael Contreras for the Lamesa campus.
Abby Richardson, from the Big Spring campus, was selected for the 2023 All-Texas Academic Team. This award is chosen among PTK students who apply and is recognized state-wide to celebrate outstanding community college students.
“Once again, our students have sailed far beyond our expectations,” added Sparks. “We know what they have accomplished during their time at Howard College, and we are excited to see what they conquer as they move forward in their educational and life journeys.”
(Information and photos: Howard College)
(Photo: Abby Richardson, left, with Dr. Cheryl Sparks, right.)
(Photo: Shiv Bhakta, left, with Dr. Cheryl Sparks, right.)
(Photo: Dr. Cheryl Sparks, left, with Caleb Cassie, right.)
(Photo: Kaeona Marquez, left, with Dr. Cheyl Sparks)
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